The Effect of Treatment of Traumatic Dental Injuries on the Oral Health Related Quality of Life of 10-14 Year Old Schoolchildren

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of treatment of traumatic dental injuries on the oral health related quality of life of 10-14 year old school children in Benin-city, Edo state, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out among 10-14 year old school pupils of public primary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Benin-City, Edo State. Data collected included information on bio-data, medical/dental history, family/social history and examination of hard dental tissues noting presence of fractured, missing and discoloured teeth. Trauma was recorded using Ellis classification of traumatic dental injuries. The Oral impacts on Daily Performance Index in the child evaluated impacts on eight daily performances: eating, speech, cleaning teeth, smiling, self-conscious, being miserable, school work and social contact. They were subsequently, invited to the Dental clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital where treatment was administered and impact on quality of life assessed at 1 month post treatment. The findings were then compared with the pre-treatment values. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: One hundred and seventy-three children presented with TDI out of which 140 returned signed consent forms and gave assent to be part of the study. Response rate was thus, 81%. The prevalence of impacts recorded pre-treatment was 75.7% with a mean child-OIDP score of 3.94± 0.32. Impacts on showing teeth without embarrassment and smiling were the more frequently reported impacts (61.4% and 60%, respectively). The least reported impacts were in the being miserable and social contact domains (15.7% and 4.3% respectively). The impacts on daily performances recorded post treatment reduced significantly.

Conclusion: Traumatic dental injuries impacted on the oral health related quality of life of these children in the smiling domain, however, no effect was recorded on their emotional status or their ability to socialize.

Keywords: trauma, quality of life, treatment, schoolchildren